I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…. No two author visits for me are the same. Yesterday was a particularly unique experience at Greenfield Day School in Miami. When I walked in, I was greeted by this sign:
The K-8 students at Greenfield Day participated in the Greenie Book Awards. Students nominated their favorite books by writing an essay nomination. Then the children in each grade voted for their favorite books. One of the grades chose a Dave Barry book. Someone at the school cleverly contacted Mr. Barry, and he graciously showed up to surprise the students during the Greenie Award Ceremony. How wonderful was that for these children?!
This all happened before I got there. Dave Barry is a tough act to follow!
I was invited to come to talk to all the students in the school about my book, being an author and about Costa Rica. I started my visit by enjoying a delicious kosher lunch with Librarian, Jackie Fine and one student presenter from each grade. Then I spoke to the middle school students, and we sure laughed a lot! They enjoyed hearing most about what inspires me to write. It was a pleasure to talk to such a small group of students.
Then I presented to two elementary age groups. A first grade boy knew what the word “fiction” meant, and all the 3rd and 4th graders loved the geography game! We hope that all the elementary students enter our free “I Love Costa Rica’s Rain Forest!” writing and art contest. All prizes are donated by Rand McNally’s online store.
Thank you Principal, Dr. Binder for having me and Librarian, Mrs. Fine for making me feel so welcome and for being so enthusiastic about Lilly Badilly. Greenfield Day is lucky to have you. This was a very special day for me. Had I only arrived before Dave Barry left, I’d have gotten a photo taken of him with me, in millipede costume.
About Greenfield Day School
This unique school offers a learning environment that concentrates on both general and Judaic studies. The classes are small, the teachers are dedicated and the students are happy. The children are encouraged to learn about and embrace their Jewish Heritage. What impressed me most was that the middle school students published a book called We Listened and We Learned A Holocaust Project: Teaching Tolerance. With a grant from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Center for Advancement of Jewish Education, students wrote about their experiences meeting Holocaust survivors. They penned stories about the people they interviewed, poems about what they learned and even drew some pictures. What a life changing experience this was for the students! It is a great book everyone should read. To learn more about this book and about the school, check out the website or call 305-595-4868.